Opinion
14-22-00194-CV
04-04-2022
IN THE INTEREST OF A.L.R., A CHILD
On Appeal from the 313th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. 2021-20430
Panel Consists of Chief Justice Christopher and Justices Bourliot and Spain.
ORDER
PER CURIAM
This is an accelerated appeal from a judgment in a parental-termination case. The notice of appeal was filed March 14, 2022. Appellant has established indigence or is presumed to be indigent. See Tex. R. App. P. 20.1(a). The reporter's record was due within 10 days after the notice of appeal was filed. See Tex. R. App. P. 35.1(b); 28.4(a)(1). On March 25, 2022, a requested extension of time to file the reporter's record was granted to April 4, 2022. The official court reporter, Kim Weidenheft, was notified no further extensions would be granted absent exceptional circumstances. 1
On April 4, 2022, Kim Weidenheft filed a second request to extend time to file the reporter's record, until April 14, 2022. We GRANT the motion.
Appeals in parental termination cases and child protection cases are to be brought to final disposition within 180 days of the date the notice of appeal is filed. See Tex. R. Jud. Admin. 6.2(a). The trial and appellate courts are jointly responsible for ensuring that the appellate record is timely filed. See Tex. R. App. P. 35.3(c). The trial court must direct the court reporter to immediately commence the preparation of the reporter's record and must arrange for a substitute reporter, if necessary. See Tex. R. App. P. 28.4(b)(1).
Accordingly, we further order Kim Weidenheft, the official court reporter, to file the record in this appeal on or before April 14, 2022. If Kim Weidenheft does not timely file the record as ordered, the court will issue an order requiring her to appear at a hearing to show cause why the record has not been timely filed and why she should not be held in contempt of court for failing to file the record as ordered. Contempt of court is punishable by a fine and/or confinement in jail. 2